Hi Mark!
I've heard good things about the Preston Guild Wheel though I am not familiar with it. Maybe use that to 'escape' from Preston?
If you then head NW to the Fylde the terrain is flat and easy (unless it is as windy as it has been of late!), but not terribly interesting.
If you head N/NE instead it is much more undulating and pleasant. There are big hills in the distance but you can avoid them until you feel ready to tackle them.
Try this one: ... Woodplumpton (N of Preston), Barton, Inglewhite, Whitechapel and then climbing up to Beacon Fell. There is a singletrack one-way lane going clockwise round the Fell. Do a circuit and call in at the visitor centre cafe if you fancy that. Either return by your outward route or go via Brockmill (STEEP descent to a river and STEEP climb back up!), Claughton, Matshead, Bilsborrow, Woodplumpton ...
A bit further: ... Broughton Hall (N Preston by the M6), Haighton Green, N to Cumeragh Village, N to Hill Chapel, NE to Chipping (Cobbled Corner cafe there if you fancy a stop), follow the road round to the SE - Gibbon Br, NE - Doeford Br, Lees, turn R and head NE up the old roman road to Cow Ark, then descend through Bashall Eaves, bear R at the junction as if heading for Whalley, R at the crossroads and descend to Higher Hodder Br. From down there you have 2 choices - the severe climb of Birdy Brow to your left just after the bridge. That takes you over the south side of Longridge Fell. An easier alternative is to continue up the gentler climb round the north side of the Fell. If you went via Birdy Brow, descend through Longridge and head back to Haighton Green. Alternatively, skirt to the north of Longridge, then Haighton Green...